Tedisco says proposed anti-swatting bill is crucial

Debate over a proposed anti-swatting bill continues in Albany.

The bill would heighten the penalty from a misdemeanor, to a felony, for false reports of an incident that brings a large police presence to a school or other location.

This comes after the recent rash of swatting incidents across the Capital Region, and the state.

These swatting incidents have a profound impact on schools and kids, Senator Jim Tedisco, one of the bill’s sponsors, said.

“This form of terrorism is really impacting us financially, also. When schools close down, we’re putting billions of dollars into our schools to provide a good education. If kids are being bullied, if they don’t get a good breakfast or lunch, if they think there’s a bomb in the school or there’s going to be violence taking place, they’re not going to be able to concentrate on the most important thing that impacts their future – a great education,” Tedisco said.

Another benefit of the heightened penalty is that it will allow investigations to involve the FBI, and use their resources to find who is behind each incident, Tedisco said.